His Majesty's Devious Sin

"Wow!" Adeline exclaimed, rushing to the Ferris Wheel window. 

Adeline glanced outside, amazed at the height and Wraith in the distance. She saw the peak of the castle, and the way the sun was directly behind it, shining gloriously upon the grounds. The amusement park was located outside the city, but she could still see the faint outline of the skyscrapers.

"What's so fascinating about a Ferris Wheel?" Elias asked, jealous that she was paying more attention to the view, when she had a perfectly good one beside her. In fact, he was a better view than the boring castle.

"It's pretty," Adeline said, referring to what she saw. "Look Elias, the sun is perfectly aligned behind the castle. What a rare occurrence."

Elias nonchalantly looked out the Ferris Wheel and shifted his eyes to her. Adeline pressed her hands against the glass like a child. He suppressed a smile. He liked watching her happy and excited like this, no matter how childish her reaction was.

"If you like the view, I can take you to the attic of the castle. It's nicer up there, darling," Elias said.

"I'll go anywhere you take me, Eli," Adeline breathed out, spinning around at his words. She wanted to go everywhere in the world with him, to travel to different countries and visit different places. 

Elias chuckled. "Even if I take you to Hell?"

Adeline blinked. "Would you?"

Elias met her eyes, the color of spring leaves with flecks of gold, her hair cascading like a halo near her shoulders. 

"Angels don't belong in Hell," Elias murmured, grabbing her hand and pressing a soft kiss upon her fingertips. He leaned his head upon her arm, wrapping his arm around her waist. 

Adeline slipped her hand through his dark hair the color of midnight. She silently admired how soft and silky the strands were, even though they used the same shampoo and conditioner. 

Adeline played with his hair, watching her fingers weave through the black strands, as she felt the sunlight behind her back. She wanted to stay like this for a little while longer, their heartbeats in sync, but knew, there would be a time her bones become brittle and he remained the same.

- - - - -

"Elias," Adeline suddenly said, tearing her attention away from the car window. They had left Lydia and Weston behind, knowing this date would do them well. 

"That's my name," Elias agreed, smiling when she threw him a pointed look.

"You're not funny," she said.

"Did I ask?"

Adeline scoffed, wondering who stroked his ego to be this large. She ignored his teasing gaze and peered up at him. 

"Can we go to Kastrem one day?" Adeline asked him. He had crossed his leg across each other, and was watching her intently. The question stirred something from him, as he quirked a brow.

"To stage a military coup d'etat?" Elias stated, referring to a military takeover of Kastrem. "If you want a Kingdom, I'll offer you an empire, darling."

Adeline's heart skipped at his word. She thought he was joking, but his eyes were completely serious. She shivered when he smiled. It was eerie and calm, even more scarier than the ghosts in the haunted house. Why be scared of ghosts when her husband smiled whenever he was angry?

"Why are you mad?" Adeline asked.

"I'm not."

"You are."

Elias paused. "You're going to leave me for Kastrem, when I gave you Wraith."

Adeline shook her head. "No, of course not."

Elias relaxed, his smile softening a bit more. He placed his hands over hers. "You're pregnant, darling. You shouldn't move around too much. It'd be dangerous for you and our babies."

Adeline's chest swelled with warmth at his words. Pleased, she leaned up and kissed his cheek. Immediately, his arm snaked around her and he pulled her close, uncrossing his legs. He wanted more than a stupid peck on the cheek.

Elias was addicted to her kiss that tasted like sweet wine. He captured her lips, pulling her onto his lap but she leaned back. 

"What's wrong?" he murmured, his mouth hotly upon hers, his hand sliding up her spine, feeling it arch under his touch. Seeing her pleasured by his touch still pleased him. Besides, there were more than one ways for a man to be pleased, just as there were more than one ways to please her.

"It's dangerous," she mumbled.

Adeline was worried they'd hit a bump. Elias chuckled and pressed another kiss on her mouth, then her cheek, her nose, and her forehead.

"Silly," he teased. "I'd keep you safe. Always."

Adeline was still nervous. She shifted back into the black car seat, much to his dismay. He still rested a hand on her, his long fingers gripping her thigh.

"You can never keep your hands off of me, can you?" Adeline mused, watching his finger slip under her dress. Immediately, she closed her legs, knowing what he wanted to do.

Elias let out a throaty laugh, one that made her heart throb. She liked his laughter, deep like the ocean, but soothing as a soft wave.

"What's the fun in doing that, darling?" Elias asked, leaning down to kiss her but she turned her face. 

Elias still kissed her cheek before lowering his head upon her neck. He brushed his nose upon her favorite spot, her thighs clenching on his fingers. He was reminded of when her legs were wrapped around his waist, and he was immediately aroused.

"I want to visit Kastrem," Adeline suddenly told him, shying away from him, for his hair was ticklish and she was sensitive. He paused at her words.

"To see my parent's grave…" Adeline trailed off. 

Adeline knew where they were buried. It was in a sacred ground on Kastrem that was highly guarded and well-kept. The cemetery was reserved for all of Kastrem's previous Crown Princes, Princesses, and immediate family. 

Adeline's paternal grandparents were buried there, not long after the death of her parents. Some say they died of heartbreak, but Adeline believed James poisoned them. Her Uncle was a terrifying man who'd stop at nothing for power, even if it meant killing his own parents.

"The Mardens would never let me visit it, even on my parent's death anniversaries," Adeline whispered. "They claimed it'd be too dangerous."

Elias pulled back to look at her. Her gaze was lowered and she was trying her best to hide her disappointment. He rested his hand on the side of her face and leaned his forehead upon hers.

"Their anniversary is coming up," he murmured. "I visit them every year. Their graves are always abundant with flowers."

Adeline wondered who'd place it there. 

"Your Uncle frequently visits the grave with flowers and offerings, even before their anniversary. Your parents were his closest friends," Elias said.

Adeline raised her gaze, her breath caught in her throat. Elias's eyes were a dim red. The darker it was, the gloomier his mood. He was reminiscing of the past, likely, of his friendship with her Father. She knew her Father lied to Elias for her sake, but what led Elias to believe the lie? Their friendship, powerful and old.

"It's in two days, isn't it?" Elias asked, even though he already knew the answer to that. "We'll go tomorrow, whilst you can still travel."

"Are we able to book a flight that quickly?" she asked. "The preparations—"

"Nonsense, darling. We'll go on our private jet and arrive in less than a few hours."

Adeline looked at him, astonished. "You have a private jet?"

"I have multiple private jets. We'll go in the one that's your favorite color," Elias teased. She laughed, thinking it was a joke, but he didn't laugh with her.

"You're serious," Adeline deadpanned. 

"They have different features and interiors. We can look at my collection today."

"N-no need," Adeline said. 

Adeline had forgotten how rich Elias was, from his generational wealth and his multiple investments. Sometimes, she wondered exactly how heavy his pockets were, but she'd rather not ask.

"Don't look so surprised, darling," Elias said. "Not many people in this world can equate my wealth."

Adeline blinked.

Elias wondered if he should tell her she was also swimming in wealth. With the money, land, property, and real estate she inherited from Addison and Kaline, Adeline was easily one of the wealthiest heiresses right now. 

"You know, you're also accumulating wealth without even knowing it, for the properties and real estate you've inherited are being rented off as we speak," Elias mused. He decided on telling her this information, even if it'd give her independence, and she'd know she didn't have to rely on him.

"But they're not mine," Adeline said. "I didn't earn the money or everything given to me. They're my parents. I've never viewed it as mine."

Elias raised a brow. "Still doesn't change the fact that you can slap people with the money, and that it sits in your bank account, untouched when it should be invested."

Adeline fidgeted. She didn't know how to invest, but didn't know if she should say that. Investments and stocks always confused her, and she didn't like worrying about numbers.

"We're married now," Elias said. "You can give me access to your bank accounts, and I'll help you invest the money, though we don't really need more."

Adeline blinked. It'd still be nice to accumulate more… "Will you lose it all?"

Elias stared at her as if she was crazy. He had lived for centuries. He knew the ins and outs of the market, and how it worked. 

"It seems all the books you read were eroticas novels, darling," Elias teased. 

"T-they're not erotica at all, they're romance books!" Adeline argued. 

Elias snorted. "Sure."

"And I've read different genres as well, just not much about investments," Adeline grumbled. She was raised to be a Princess for the ten years she accompanied her parents, but afterward, the Mardens made her learn etiquette and "womanly hobbies." They didn't like the idea of her being educated in many fields.

Adeline never realized how badly the Mardens treated her until she was treated kindly by Elias. It was a thought that worried and terrified her. How could she have been so blinded?

"I'm sure you have," Elias said in a voice that didn't believe her.

Adeline responded by ignoring him and looking out the window, opting for the silent treatment, knowing that'd impact him much more.

"Aw, darling, don't pout like this," Elias said, wrapping his arms around her. "Or else I'll ravish you in this car."

Adeline ignored him and continued staring intently at the view, irking him. He felt a stir in his chest, jealous of whatever could be so interesting. He wanted her eyes on him and her undivided attention.

"Alright, alright, my wife is the most educated woman I know," Elias surrendered. She perked up, only a bit, and peered at him from the corner of her eye.

"...in erotica, that is," Elias concluded, earning a sharp jab to his ribcage. He howled with laughter, entertained by her infuriated glare. He tapped her nose with his long finger and dodged her punch.

Elias clicked his tongue. "What a violent wife I have."

Adeline stuck her tongue out. "And what a childish husband I have."

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